Hi guys,
thanks for the kind words!
Ducatiboy, wiper motors are too slow. If it was that easy we could have done this much cheaper! The most you get out of ANY wiper is about 65 RPM.
It just isn't fast enough (although in saying that, we do get people who want to drop the rpm for different brews which is why we include the speed controller)
The optimal speed seems to be about 150 RPM with ridiculous amounts of torque!
If it had a slot or a key-way it would make it difficult for people without proper tools to fit the motor to the mill !
As it is right now, all you need is a 12mm length of shaft (however long you want) a drill, split pin and a coupling and you're in business!
It was all put together in such a way that its easy for even a complete novice to work out!
And on top of that, the way it's setup now with a split pin protects both the motor and mill from damage if you ever get a rock in your grain!
So there's a good reason why it's setup the way it is!
We're looking into ways to make it more of a complete kit, but its difficult because there's so many different shaft sizes out there on different mills.
It is however something we are currently working on!
MattSR, I like your setup, its pretty cool! Just make sure you put the 240v power supply in a box (even a lunch box is OK) or something to stop prying fingers touching those 240v mains leads!
Again, just to remind you guys about the power supplies floating around from dodgy sellers, here's another email I received today!
This guy purchased a 25A power supply, but going from his description I'm going to guess its maximum output is only around 10A-12.5A!
We are beginning to see more of these emails now. So its obvious the problem is becoming more widespread. Just remember, you can always use eBay's "Product not as described" to get your money back or have them ship the correct one. Its their mistake and their cost if they want you to ship the goods back!
The problem is (talking from first-hand experience here) most people don't know how much current their product draws, or they'll buy the bigger PSU figuring they may be able to use it for something else down the track.
So most people will never know they've been shafted until they go to use the current the supply is supposed to be capable of doing!
Subject:
Torque on the Home Brewer Special
Body:
Hi there,
I bought the "Home Brewer Special" motor/controller and wired it up over the xmas break. I've been really excited to see it in action.
I finally got a chance to check it out today and was having a lot of trouble getting the mill to crack any grain: it wouldn't start up with any level of grain in the hopper, and the only way to get it to crack the grain was to run it at full speed and sprinkle grain into the moving rollers. If I got too eager, it would grind to a halt.
Currently, I've got it set to slow start. I also have to run the motor positive/negative reversed (as the mill I use is driven clockwise.)
Does this sound like I have wired up something wrong, or can torque be adjusted somehow? It's powered by a 12V 25A switching power supply.
Thanks for your help
One last thing!
I'm trying to get a list of ALL the shaft sizes for the different milling machines!
Is there any sort of definitive list where I can get all of the information I need? or has anyone compiled one ?
Thanks !
